Methods and systems for managing printing resources

Abstract

Methods and systems for operating printers are described. In one embodiment a printer is monitored by a printer monitor that is configured to monitor one or more variables or parameters associated with the security of the printer. The printer monitor can be internal or external to the printer. In the event that the printer monitor detects a security breach, the printer monitor is configured to notify a printer authority. Exemplary variables or parameters that can be monitored by the printer monitor include, without limitation, those associated with I/O activities of the printer, memory usage activities, various metrics associated with data that is received by and then transmitted from the printer.

1 . A printing apparatus comprising: 
 a printer configured to print upon print media; and    a printer monitor associated with the printer and configured to monitor one or more variables or parameters associated with the security of the printer.    
     
     
         2 . The printing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the printer monitor is configured to generate one or more notifications to a printer authority in an event of a security breach associated with the printer.  
     
     
         3 . The printing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more variables or parameters are associated with the security of documents that are printed on the printer.  
     
     
         4 . The printing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more variables or parameters are associated with I/O activities.  
     
     
         5 . The printing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more variables or parameters are associated with memory usage activities.  
     
     
         6 . The printing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more variables or parameters are associated with data ratios pertaining to an amount of data transmitted by the printer versus an amount of data received by the printer.  
     
     
         7 . The printing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more variables or parameters are associated with the volume of data transmitted by the printer.  
     
     
         8 . The printing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the printer monitor is external to the printer.  
     
     
         9 . The printing apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the printer monitor is internal to the printer.  
     
     
         10 . The printing apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the printer monitor comprises an applet running in the printer's runtime environment.  
     
     
         11 . The printing apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the printer monitor is configured to monitor multiple different applications on the printer.  
     
     
         12 . A printing apparatus comprising: 
 a printer; and    a printer monitor associated with printer and configured to monitor one or more usage profiles associated with the printer, the one or more usage profiles being independent of profiles associated with print job management or printer consumables management.    
     
     
         13 . The printing apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more usage profiles are defined in terms of one or more variables or parameters associated with I/O activities of the printer.  
     
     
         14 . The printing apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more usage profiles are defined in terms of one or more variables or parameters associated with memory usage activities.  
     
     
         15 . The printing apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more usage profiles are associated with the security of the printer.  
     
     
         16 . The printing apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more usage profiles are associated with documents that are printed on the printer.  
     
     
         17 . The printing apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the printer monitor is disposed internally of the printer.  
     
     
         18 . The printing apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the printer monitor is disposed externally of the printer.  
     
     
         19 . A printer management method comprising: 
 monitoring one or more variables or parameters associated with the security of a printer; and    generating a notification if it appears likely that there has been a security breach.    
     
     
         20 . The printer management method of  claim 19 , wherein said monitoring comprises monitoring one or more variables or parameters associated with security of documents that are to be printed on the printer.  
     
     
         21 . The printer management method of  claim 19 , wherein said monitoring comprises monitoring one or more variables or parameters associated with I/O activities of the printer.  
     
     
         22 . The printer management method of  claim 19 , wherein said monitoring comprises monitoring one or more variables or parameters associated with memory usage activities of the printer.  
     
     
         23 . The printer management method of  claim 19 , wherein said monitoring comprises monitoring one or more variables or parameters associated with data ratios pertaining to an amount of data transmitted by the printer versus an amount of data received by the printer.  
     
     
         24 . The printer management method of  claim 19 , wherein said monitoring comprises monitoring one or more variables or parameters associated with the volume of data transmitted by the printer.  
     
     
         25 . The printer management method of  claim 19 , wherein said monitoring takes place from internally of the printer.  
     
     
         26 . The printer management method of  claim 19 , wherein said monitoring takes place from externally of the printer.  
     
     
         27 . A printer management method comprising: 
 providing multiple printers in an organization;    linking the printers together via an organization network;    monitoring activities of the multiple printers;    determining whether one or more printer activities meets one or more usage profiles associated with each of the printers, the usage profiles being associated with the security of each associated printer; and    taking a programmed action in the event that one or more printer activities meets one or more usage profiles for an associated printer.    
     
     
         28 . A printing system comprising: 
 multiple printers; and    one or more printer monitors associated with one or more of the multiple printers, the one or more printer monitors being configured to monitor one or more variables or parameters associated with the security of the one or more printers.    
     
     
         29 . The printing system of  claim 28 , wherein at least one printer monitor is disposed internally of an associated printer.  
     
     
         30 . The printing system of  claim 28 , wherein at least one printer monitor is disposed externally of an associated printer.  
     
     
         31 . The printing system of  claim 28 , wherein the one or more printer monitors are configured to generate notifications to a printer authority in an event of a security breach.  
     
     
         32 . The printing system of  claim 28 , wherein the one or more printer monitors are configured to monitor one or more variables or parameters associated with I/O activities of the one or more printers.  
     
     
         33 . The printing system of  claim 28 , wherein the one or more printer monitors are configured to monitor one or more variables or parameters associated with memory usage activities of the one or more printers.  
     
     
         34 . The printing system of  claim 28 , wherein the one or more printer monitors are configured to monitor one or more variables or parameters associated with data ratios pertaining to an amount of data transmitted by a printer versus an amount of data received by the printer.  
     
     
         35 . The printing system of  claim 28 , further comprising a network linking the printers together.